Mixing and measuring arrangement for beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispensing device having a pump and pump actuating means, associated with a tank containing a concentrated syrup. The pump and actuating means therefor are constructed so as to be selectively adjustable to discharge a predetermined amount of syrup from the storage tank at each cycle thereof. The discharged syrup is admixed with a diluting liquid in a mixing chamber before discharge to a dispensing cup.

States Patent Uttech Oct. 2 1973 [54] MIXING AND MEASURING 2.89433657/[959 Zerlin 222/383 X ARRANGEMENT FOR BEVERAGE 3,318,256 5/1967 Greent t. 4l7/5ll 3,489,099 l/l970 Hul'fsmith i l 222/385 X DISPENSER2,946,488 7/l960 Kraft 222/309 X {75] Inventor: Raymond E. Uttech,Watertown, 3,446,399 5/l969 Ross et al. ZZZ/129.!

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Karma Division of Brandt, lnc., Primary Examiner-RobertReeves waterwwn Assistan! Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney-Charles W.Rummler et al. [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 9 No 57 ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl.222/309 222/383 A dispensing device having Pump and Pump actuatmg [51]Int. Cl. Gilli 11/06 means associated with a tank containing a concen'58 Field of Search 222/145 309 380 rated SYmP- The Pump and actuatingmeans therefo 222/383 385 384 1291 12,93 are constructed so as to beselectively adjustable to dis- 417/41 l charge a predetermined amount ofsyrup from the storage tank at each cycle thereof. The discharged syrupis [56] References Cited admixed with a diluting liquid in a mixingchamber be UNITED STATES PATENTS fore discharge to a dispensing cup.

3,029,847 4/1962 Bauiohuin et al 222/309 X 7 Claims, 18 Drawing FiguresSHEET 2 BF 4 MIXING AND MEASURING ARRANGEMENT FUR BEVERAGE DISPENSERBACKGROUND (IF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to beveragedispensing devices and more particularly to beverage dispensing devicesin which a concentrated syrup is mixed with a diluting liquid such aswater or the like.

Dispensing machines of the foregoing type dispense the final product inquantities of one cup at a time. It is essential, therefore, that eachcup of final product dispensed have substantially the same ratio ofconcentrated syrup and mixing liquid to maintain a uniform taste orflavor.

Generally, the dispensing machine includes a storage tank or chamber forthe concentrated syrup and a separate storage tank or chamber for waterand/or other mixing liquid. The concentrated syrup and water or mixingliquid are controlled to flow in selective quantities into a mixingchamber at the desired ratio for producing the beverage.

Only very recently has a coffee concentrated syrup been made availableto the public. Hence, because of the heavy viscosity of the same, a newapparatus had to he invented to use the syrup in dispensing machines. Itwas because of the foregoing problem that the present invention wasconceived and developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By the present invention, it is proposed toprovide a new and novel means for adjusting and controlling the quantityof the concentrated syrup for a given amount of mixing liquid so as tomaintain a desired ratio and thereby assure that each cup of mixedbeverage has substantially the same taste.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a new and novelmixing chamber for mixing the concen trated syrup and the mixing liquidprior to being discharged into a cup or other receiving vessel.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished by adispensing device comprising a storage tank for concentrated syrup. Thestorage tank includes a conduit having a pressure responsive outletvalve at its lower end. The conduit defines a pump housing and has anadjustable stroke piston means mounted for lengthwise movement therein.Thepiston means includes piston head means for permitting flow of theconcentrated syrup into the pump chamber during upward movement thereofso that at the upper end of the piston travel a predetermined quantityof syrup is retained within the chamber by the outlet valve means at thelower end. The stroke or travel of the piston head means and thereby thepump volume is adjusted by means incorporated in the piston actuatinglinkage and is arranged to yield the desired volume change at the upperend of the stroke. Further means on the piston head means cuts off theflow from the storage chamber and past the piston during downwardmovement thereof so that a pressure is exerted on syrup whereby thepressure responsive outlet valve is opened and the syrup is dischargedfrom the storage tank.

The concentrated syrup is discharged in the nature of spray onto afunnel-like or conical plate in a mixing chamber. At the same time, themixing liquid is also discharged onto the conical plate so that theconcentrated syrup and the mixing liquids are premised thereon. Thepremixed concentrated syrup and mixing chamber then flow from the mixingchamber into a cup or the like.

The principles of the present invention are adaptable for use withconcentrated syrups having different viscosities. Syrups of differentviscosity may require me.- chanical structural modifications to achievea proper mix of the syrup and mixing liquid. As more fully to bedeomonstrated hereinafter, the mechanical structure for mixing a lessviscous syrup concentrate such as coffee differs from the structure formixing the thicker more viscous concentrate such as chocolate. However,while these two structures may differ in appearance, the underlying andbasic structural principals remain the same.

Further features of the invention will hereinafter appear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of abeverage dispensing machine embodying the measuring end mixingarrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the measuring andmixing arrangement with the cover plate removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism foractuating and varying the stroke of the piston means;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the, measuring and mixing chambersshowing the piston on the downward stroke;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 55 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken gem erally along thelines 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines '7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines 99 of FIG. 3 and showing the condition of piston means during thedown stroke;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. II is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines I1--II of FIG. 4; 7

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to FIG. 9 butshowing the condition of the piston means during the up-stroke thereof;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the mixing and measuringchambers of another embodiment of the invention particularly adapted fordispensing hot chocolate;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines 'I4I4 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines I5-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken generally along thelines I6-'16 of FIG. 13 showing the piston means at the upper limit oftravel thereof;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to FIG. 16 butshowing the condition of the outlet valve and piston during the downstroke of the piston means; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to FIG. 17 butshowing the condition of the outlet valve and piston during theup-stroke of the piston.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings thereis shown a beverage dispensing machine including a housing or frame 11in which the usual mechanism for actuating the dispensing mechanism isenclosed. The mechanism includes a motor 20 (see FIG. 3) for operatingpumps and drive means for mixing the components from which the beverageis to be made.

The dispensing device 10 shown is adapted for mixing a concentratedsolution of syrup or coffee with water. The mixing is performed in amixing and measuring means generally indicated at 12 located in theforward section of frame 11. The mixing and measuring means 12 includesa storage bowl 13 for storing the concentrated syrup or solution ofcoffee and a hot water storage bowl W. The bottom of the storage bowl 13is provided with a conduit 14 defining a pump chamber or cylinder 15which communicates with the interior of the bowl 13. A pump 16 isoperative to discharge the coffee syrup from the conduit 14 incontrolled amounts from the storage bowl 13.

A pressure responsive outlet valve 17., FIGS. 4 and 1 1, is located atthe bottom or lower end of the conduit 14. The valve 17 is a cylindricalmember 18 made from rubber or the like with a slit 18 extendingtherethrough and supported by a clamping band 19 disposed to the end ofthe conduit 14 as shown in FIG. 11. The cylindrical member 18 is formedwith a recess 21 defining a' circular wall 22 which embraces and isclamped to the conduit 14 by the band 19. The upper end of wall 22 isprovided with outwardly extending perimetrical flanges 22 to limitupward movement of the band 19. A cylindrical recess 24 is formedaxially in the upper face of the valve 18 communicating with slit 18.

The pump 16 includes a piston means and an actuating means 27 (see FIG.3). The piston means com prises, as shown in FIGS. 4, 9, 10 and 12, apiston head assembly 28 including a lower slide head 29. The slide head29 is of cylindrical cross section and is formed with a circumferentialgroove 31 having an O-ring 32 seated therein. The O-ring 32 provides asliding seal along the inner wall of the pump chamber B5. A plurality ofspaced passages 33 extend through the slide head 29 to permit flow fromthe storage bowl 13 as will hereinafterbe explained.

An axial bore 33 extends through the head 29 and slidably receives ashaft 36 projecting axially from the under side of a connecting head 35.The shaft 36 is of greater length than the height of the slide head 29so that the shaft 36 and head 29 are slidable relative to each other.The head 37 of a screw 38 threaded into the free end of the shaft 36prevents the slide head 29 from being detached.

The connecting head 35 includes a lower cylindrical portion 39 having abottom face 41 adapted to overlie and close the passages 33 during thedownward of feed stroke of the piston head assembly 28 as more fully tobe explained hereinafter. The upper part 42 is integrally formed withthe cylindrical portion 39 and has an axial extending slot 43 whichintersects with a relatively wide open ended bore 44 at its lower end.An oppositely extending radial aperture 45 accommodates the right angledturned end 46 of a piston rod 47 (see FIG. 9). The piston rod 47 isassembled to the head 35 by rotating the entire assembly 28, outside thepump chamber, at right angles and positioning the rod 47 in the slot 43with the bent end 47 introduced through the slot 44. The end 46 is theninserted into the radial aperture 45. The piston rod 47 and connectinghead 28 are thus turnable relative to each other about a horizontal axisprovided by the turned end 46 of the connecting head 28.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6-9, inclusive, the piston rod 47 isconnected to the pump actuating means 27 for reciprocating the pistonhead assembly 28 within the pump chamber or cylinder 15. The pumpactuating means 27 includes a drive motor 20 having a cam 48 fixed tothe motor shaft 49 for rotation therewith. Eccentrically connected tothe cam is one end of connecting rod sub-ssembly 52. The connecting rodsubassembly 52 includes a bearing block 51 which is eccentricallyconnected to the cam by a pin 53. A sleeve shaft 54 is fixed at one endin the block 51. A rod 56 is slidably disposed in the sleeve 54 with theupper end of the rod being secured to a connecting bushing block 57. Theupper end of the bushing block 57 is pivotally connected to anadjustment sleeve 58 by a pin 59 through the C-clamp 61 fixed on thesleeve 58. Extending between the bushing blocks 57 and 51 so as toyieldably maintain the rod 56 within the sleeve 54 is a compressionspring 62, the upper end thereof being held by a screw 57 anchored toblock 57 while the lower end thereof is similarly anchored by screw 51in block 51 (see FIG. 6).

The adjustment sleeve 58 is frictionally held on rock arm 63 which isconnected at one end to a rock-shaft 64 journaled in a sleeve 64' whichis mounted to a bracket 66 which is fixed to the housing 11. Anadjustment lever 67, having an offset, is pivotally connected at one endto the sleeve 58 by means of a C-clamp 68 and a screw 69 so that theC-clamp is fixed. The other end of the adjustment lever 67 is providedwith a pin or lever 70 which is seated in slot 71 in plate 1 l to ridetherein for sliding movement therein horizontally. The offset on lever67 is provided because the medial portion lies in front of the C-clamp61 and the bushing 57. The stroke of the piston rod 47 will be varied bypositioning the sleeve 58 relative to the rod 63. This is accomplishedby moving the pin either to the right or left.

The position of the adjustment sleeve 58 on the rock arm 63 alsopositions the location at which the connecting rod 56 is operative torock the arm 63. If the sleeve 58 is moved closer to the rock shaft 64to provide a shorter lever arm length, the connecting rod assembly 53 isoperative to increase the degree of angular turning of the rock shaft 54upon rotation of the cam 48. Positioning of sleeve 58 further from therock shaft 54 causes a longer lever arm and a decrease in the angularturning of the rock shaft. The positioning of the connection of theconnecting rod 56 at different locations along the length of the rockarm 63 is made possible by the lengthwise yieldable structure of theconnecting rod sub-assembly 52 described above.

A second rock arm 76 is fixed to the other end of the rock shaft 64 tobe rocked thereby. The second rock arm 76 includes an aperture at thefree end which receives the turned end 76' of the piston rod 47. Thepiston rod 47 is held attached by a pivotally connected clamping plate77 which overlies the turned end as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. One end ofthe plate 77 is offset at 77 and pivotally secured to the arm 76 at theother end by a pin 77". A positioning plate 77' on plate lies on theupper edge of arm 76 (see FIG. 3).

A mixing chamber means 78 is located below and aligned with the pumpchamber 15. The mixing chamber means 78 includes a bowl 79 supported onthe frame 11 and has an outlet nozzle 30 projecting from the base. Aconical mixing plate 81 having an axial opening 82 is detachably mountedon the bowl 79 by an integral hook-shaped strap 83. The axial opening 82is aligned with the outlet nozzle 80 and the pump chamber 15 on thesyrup storage tank 13.

A nozzle 84 connected to a suitable source of mixing liquid, such as hotwater, is supported on the bowl 79 to direct a stream of hot watertangentially on the conical plate 81. The water is discharged at apredetermined period which is controlled by the energization of amicro-switch 86 riding on cam 48 (see FIG. 3).

In operation, the pump 16 is adjusted so that the piston head assembly28, when at the end of its stroke or raised to its maximum elevatedposition, provides the desired volume of coffee syrup for mixing withthe hot water. The desired volume of the pump 16 is achieved byselectively positioning the adjustment sleeve 58 on the adjustment rockarm 56 to control the degree of angular turning of the rock shaft 64 andthereby the length of travel of the piston head assembly 28 imparted bythe second rock arm 76.

It is to be noted, as shown in FIG. 12, that when the piston headassembly 28 is in its upper position, the lower slide head 29 is spacedfrom the connecting head 35 so that the coffee syrup is free to flowthrough the passages 33 into the chamber. Upon downward movement of thepiston head assembly 28, the slide head 29 is contacted by the lowerface of the upper head 35 and forced downwardly by the head 35 wherebyto overlie the entrance to the passages 33 and whereby a pressure forceis applied to the coffee syrup in the pump chamber 15 below the slidinghead and in the lower end thereof and in the recess 24. As the pressureon the syrup within the pump chamber 15 is increased, the slit 18' isopened to provide an outlet for the coffee syrup to be discharged at apressure from the opening and deposited on the face of the conicalmixing plate 81. At the same time, hot water is simultaneouslydischarged from the nozzle 84 on the plate causing a swirling ac tion topre-mix of the coffee syrup and hot water on the conical plate 81. Thepre-mixed beverage is discharged throughthe small outlet 82 and to thealigned outlet 80 into a cup or the like.

When the coffee syrup has been discharged from the pump chamber 15,.thepiston head assembly 28 reverses and moves upwardly. During upwardmovement, no downward pressure is applied on the valve 17 so that thelatter closes and prevents liquid flow therethrough. As the piston headassembly 28 moves upwardly, the slide head 29 assumes the position shownin FIG. 12 so that the coffee syrup in the storage bowl 13 is free toflow through the passages 33 into the pump chamber 16. When the pistonhead assembly 28 reaches the upper limit of travel, the pump chamber 16is filled with desired amount of syrup for a repeat of the mixing withthe water in th manner heretofore described upon downward movement ofthe piston assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-48, there is-shown another embodiment of pumparrangement 110 which may be used in practicing the invention. Thisembodiment of the invention is particularly adaptable for use in mixinghot chocolate. The pump arrangement 110 includes generally a pumphousing 111 and a piston head assembly 112.

The pump housing 111 depends axially from the storage tank 113 andcommunicates with and defines a pump chamber 114 of substantiallycircular crosssection. A valve housing 116 of substantially circularcross-section extends from the lower end of the pump chamber 114 andprovides an opening 117 through which the chocolate syrup is discharged.A resilient inverted cup-shaped valve 118 is seated in the opening 117of the lower or outlet end of the valve housing 116 and is responsive tothe fluid pressure forces created by the piston arrangement 112 topermit the flow of chocolate syrup through the opening 117. The valve118 includes an annular shoulder 119 which seats against the free lowerend of the valve housing 116 to provide a seal. Upon the application ofa pressure force thereon, the cup-shaped valve yields, as shown in FIG.17, so that fluid is free to flow through the annular passage createdbetween the shoulder 119 and the end of the valve housing 116. The valve118 is mounted in the valve housing 116 by a diametrically extendingbrace 121, the ends of which abut against the opposed inner walls ofhousing 111, and having a downwardly and axial depending stud pin 122which seats in pocket 120 of the valve 118. The brace 121 is alsoprovided with an enlarged medial portion 121'.

The piston head assembly 1 12 includes a disk or connecting head 123fixed to the lower end of a piston-rod 124. The head 123 is in the formof a disk of substantially the same diameter as the pump chamber 114 soas to be snugly slidable therein. A slide head in the form of a circularplate 126 is lengthwise slidable on an axial headed pin 128 fixed to thelower end of the'shaft. The slide plate 126 is adapted to preventpassage through angularly spaced apertures 129 in the disk 123 duringdownward movement of the piston head assembly 112, as shown in FIGS. 16and 17. During upward move ment of the piston head assembly 112, theforce of the chocolate syrup in the chamber 113 forces the slide plate126 to the head of the pin in the position shown in FIG. 18 spaced fromthe disk 123 so that the chocolate is free to flow through the apertures129 into the pump chamber 114. Thus, when the piston head assembly 112reaches its upper limit of travel, the pump chamber 114 is filled withthe chocolate syrup for mixwith the liquid is determined by the upperlimit of travel of the piston head assembly 112 and this is achieved bythe same adjusting and actuating structure 27 as shown and described inconnection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8. The travel may beselectively adjusted to achieve the desired volume of chocolate byadjustment of the sleeve 58 to increase or decrease the angular turningof the rock shaft 64 which causes a corresponding increase or decreasein the length of arc of the rock arm 76 at the connection with thepiston rod 124. The length of the arc corresponds to the length oftravel of the piston assembly 112.

Upon downward movement of the piston assembly, the slide plate 126overlies the apertures 129 so that the pressure created on the chocolatesyrup in chamber 114 and on the upper surface of the valve 118 causesthe resilient cup valve 118 to be forced downwardly and the chocolatesyrup to flow through the opening 1 17, as shown in FIG. 17. The syrupflows onto the conical plate 82 and is mixed or at least pre-mixed withwater from the nozzle 84. The pre-mixed chocolate syrup and water flowsthrough the opening 82 through the outlet 80 into a cup as in the mainembodiment.

in both embodiments, the water from nozzle 84 is introduced to plate 81at a tangent so that as the syrup is introduced towards said plate, aswirling admixing is accomplished before the admixture flows through theaperture 82.

The electrical system is substantially the same as shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,159,190 and 3,382,897, both of which are owned by the assignee ofthis application' Although but two specific embodiments of thisinvention are shown and described, it is to be understood that thenumerous details shown may be altered or omitted without departing fromthe spirt of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing device comprising a storage tank for a concentratedsyrup, a pump located adjacent the bottom of said storage tank, saidpump including a pump chamber communicating with the interior of saidstorage tank through the base, a pressure responsive valve at one end ofsaid pump chamber, a piston means movable in s'aidpump chamber between aposition adjacent said pressure responsive valve and a position spacedfrom said pressure responsive valve to define a volume for theconcentrated syrup, said piston means including a piston rod connectedto said piston and extending through said storage tank, a rock armconnected to one end of a rock shaft, means connecting said piston rodto said rock arm a fixed distance from said rock shaft, a rock armconnected to the other end of said rock shaft and located outside ofsaid storage tank, a sleeve axially slidable on said rock arm connectedto the other end of said rock shaft, a connecting rod fixed at one endto saidsleeve and connected at the other end to eccentric means forimparting reciprocating movement to said connecting rod, and means forfixing said sleeve against axial movement along said rock arm connectedto the other end of said rock shaft thereby to selectively vary theangular rocking movement of said rock shaft and thereby the volumedefined by said piston in said chamber.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said piston meanscomprises a connecting head fixed to said linkage means, and a slidehead movable into engagement with said connecting head during movementof said piston means away from said pressure responsive valve andmovable into spaced relationship with said connecting means, said pistonmeans having opening means providing communication between said pumpchamber and said storage tank, said opening means being closed when saidslide head is in engagement with said connecting head and being openwhen said slide head is in spaced relation to said connecting head.

3. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said opening means arelocated through said slide head and said connecting head cutting offflow through said openings.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said opening means arelocated in said connecting head and said slide plate cuts off flowthrough said openings.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting rod meansincludes means automatically adjusting the length thereof between saidslidable sleeve and said eccentric driving means when said slidablesleeve is selectively positioned on said first rock shaft. V

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said slidable sleeve isselectively positioned frictionally by means including a plate, and anadjustment lever means pivotally connected between said adjustment plateand said slidable sleeve.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said dispensing meansincludes mixing chamber means, said mixing chamber including a bowl,having a conical bot-. tom wall, and a nozzle containing mixing liquidfor mixing with said concentrated syrup directed on said mixing platetangentially; and wherein said conduit through which said syrup isdischarged is aligned above said conical plate so that the concentratedsyrup is discharged thereon for mixing with said mixing liquid.

1. A dispensing device comprising a storage tank for a concentratedsyrup, a pump located adjacent the bottom of said storage tank, saidpump including a pump chamber communicating with the interior of saidstorage tank through the base, a pressure responsive valve at one end ofsaid pump chamber, a piston means movable in said pump chamber between aposition adjacent said pressure responsive valve and a position spacedfrom said pressure responsive valve to define a volume for theconcentrated syrup, said piston means including a piston rod connectedto said piston and extending through said storage tank, a rock armconnected to one end of a rock shaft, means connecting said piston rodto said rock arm a fixed distance from said rock shaft, a rock armconnected to the other end of said rock shaft and located outside ofsaid storage tank, a sleeve axially slidable on said rock arm connectedto the other end of said rock shaft, a connecting rod fixed at one endto said sleeve and connected at the other end to eccentric means forimparting reciprocating movement to said connecting rod, and means forfixing said sleeve against axial movement along said rock arm connectedto the other end of said rock shaft thereby to selectively vary theangular rocking movement of said rock shaft and thereby the volumedefined by said piston in said chamber.
 2. The invention as defined inclaim 1 wherein said piston means comprises a connecting head fixed tosaid linkage means, and a slide head movable into engagement with saidconnecting head during movement of said piston means away from saidpressure responsive valve and movable into spaced relationship with saidconnecting means, said piston means having opening means providingcommunicaTion between said pump chamber and said storage tank, saidopening means being closed when said slide head is in engagement withsaid connecting head and being open when said slide head is in spacedrelation to said connecting head.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 3wherein said opening means are located through said slide head and saidconnecting head cutting off flow through said openings.
 4. The inventionas defined in claim 3 wherein said opening means are located in saidconnecting head and said slide plate cuts off flow through saidopenings.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connectingrod means includes means automatically adjusting the length thereofbetween said slidable sleeve and said eccentric driving means when saidslidable sleeve is selectively positioned on said first rock shaft. 6.The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said slidable sleeve isselectively positioned frictionally by means including a plate, and anadjustment lever means pivotally connected between said adjustment plateand said slidable sleeve.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid dispensing means includes mixing chamber means, said mixing chamberincluding a bowl, having a conical bottom wall, and a nozzle containingmixing liquid for mixing with said concentrated syrup directed on saidmixing plate tangentially; and wherein said conduit through which saidsyrup is discharged is aligned above said conical plate so that theconcentrated syrup is discharged thereon for mixing with said mixingliquid.